XPERISUS

Japan's Spiritual Coastline

Mie Perfecture offers an effortless escape into one of Japan's most authentic and rewarding regions. Just two hours by train from Kyoto and stretching along the eastern coast of the Kii Peninsula, discover lesser-known sacred shrines and ancient pilgrimage trails, celebrated cuisine, pristine coastlines and artisan villages. Mie Perfecture invites travellers to experience Japan beyond the familiar. Luxury travellers are drawn here for its intimate encounters, exceptional hospitality, uncrowded beauty and immersive experiences that celebrate craftsmanship, spirituality and nature in equal measure.

Divided into five distinct areas—Hokusei, Iga, Nakasei (Chunansei), Nansei (Ise-Shima) and Higashikishu, Mie is where Japan's spiritual heart, culinary excellence and natural beauty converge. Home to the country's most revered shrine, centuries-old pilgrimage routes and living cultural traditions, the prefecture offers an authentic glimpse into Japan's enduring heritage. Food lovers discover one of Japan's finest gastronomic regions, from world-renowned Matsusaka beef and seasonal seafood to elegant kaiseki cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Beyond the table, travellers can kayak through tranquil bays, hike sacred forests, relax in oceanfront ryokan and enjoy exclusive encounters with master artisans, pearl cultivators and the renowned Ama free divers. With two national parks, spectacular coastlines and deeply rooted traditions, Mie rewards those seeking meaningful luxury beyond Japan's well-trodden destinations.

SIGNATURE Experiences ACROSS MIE’S FIVE REGIONS

Each of Mie's five regions offers its own unforgettable experiences revealed through unique landscapes, traditions and cultural treasures. In Iga, discover the birthplace of the legendary Iga Ninja, where the Iga Ninja Museum brings Japan's secretive warrior history to life through demonstrations and interactive experiences. The region is also home to Iga Kumihimo, an intricate silk braiding tradition introduced alongside Buddhism over 1,500 years ago and once used to decorate samurai armour, as well as Nagatanien Iga-yaki, one of Japan's most respected pottery traditions. Nearby, the 48 Akame Waterfalls, recognised among Japan's 100 most beautiful waterfalls, offer spectacular forest hikes once used by ninja for training. In Ise-Shima, visit the revered Ise Jingu Shrine, Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine, before exploring Mikimoto Pearl Island, where cultured pearls were first successfully produced in 1893. Here, the remarkable Ama women free divers, who have practised sustainable fishing for more than 3,000 years, continue their extraordinary traditions. More than half of Japan's Ama live in Mie, and exclusive experiences include joining them for traditional Kago-ryo basket fishing, followed by a private beach dinner showcasing freshly harvested seafood.  Nature flourishes throughout the prefecture. Walk sections of the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo Iseji Pilgrimage Route, paddleboard and kayak along the unspoilt coastline of Kihoku, or admire the breathtaking panorama of approximately 60 islands and pearl rafts from Yokoyama Viewpoint overlooking Ago Bay. In Nakasei, discover Matsusaka's renowned cotton weaving heritage before learning to prepare exquisitely marbled Matsusaka beef, regarded as one of Japan's three finest wagyu, alongside refined tempura and seasonal kaiseki celebrating Mie's exceptional produce.

stayS BEYOND ORDINARY

Staying in Mie is every bit as memorable as its experiences. Wake to sweeping views across the pearl-studded waters of Ago Bay from intimate oceanfront ryokan, unwind in elegant suites where private onsen, sea-view terraces and impeccable omotenashi define every stay, or retreat to exclusive villas hidden within the tranquil coves of Ise-Shima National Park. Exceptional gourmet hideaways showcase the region's finest seafood, while iconic waterfront hotels combine refined design, world-class dining and serene spa experiences. Whether staying in a restored Edo-period townhouse in Iga or a secluded coastal sanctuary surrounded by nature, Mie's luxury accommodation offers privacy, authenticity and a profound sense of place.